Laughter, tears mark celebration as families share in adoption joy

LAS CRUCES — With a police officer's hat on his head and a gavel in his hand, 3-year-old Gabriel Peralta momentarily wielded more power than any law enforcement official in the city.

He commanded the room with his toddler antics, sitting in the chair of District Judge Fernando R. Macias, and drawing laughs Monday afternoon from the courtroom full of people there to celebrate the finalization of his adoption and those of 21 other children in 2012.

It was their day.

The local incarnation of National Adoption Day arrived a bit early — most of the rest of the country holds similar events Nov. 17 — but the meaning remains the same. Families, social workers and members of the legal community hope to raise awareness of America's foster children awaiting a permanent and loving home.

According to the National Adoption Day website, there are more than 100,000 such foster children nationwide. Deanna Ault, an adoption social worker with the state's Children, Youth and Families Department, said there are 77 foster children awaiting permanent homes in Doña Ana County.

Jose and Maria Peralta had two biological daughters before becoming foster parents.

"I really wanted to have a boy," Jose Peralta said.

After Monday, he officially has two — Jonathan, adopted previously by the Peraltas along with his biological sister, Virginia — and Gabriel, who was wearing his older brother's costume police officer's hat through the afternoon. Once the adoption was legally final, Judge Macias, as is customary, invited Gabriel Peralta to take his chair and swing the gavel.

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When asked why his new son wanted to wear the police-style hat, Jose Peralta offered an explanation that's common from the parents of toddlers: "He wanted to wear it today. We don't know why."

Gabriel Peralta's fun in the courtroom is part of the reason Louis Samaniego, who catered the event, loves to be a part of National Adoption Day.

"It's the only time you go into the courtroom and everybody's happy," he said.

The other adoption finalized Monday brought about a different expression of happiness from many of those involved: Tears.

When Juan Carlos Chavez was first placed in foster care, he had no way to communicate. Juan Carlos, 11, is blind and deaf, meaning he needed a lot of special care. Macias noted he was the only such foster child in the state.

Two years ago, when he went into the home of Celia Chavez, she said he communicated only by "swinging, biting and tantrums."

As Macias finished the adoption process, he drew attention to the collective effort it took. Many of the people who have been in Juan Carlos' life were crying.

"It's been an extraordinary journey to bring us to this day," Macias said.

When it was done, the adoption received a standing ovation from those in the courtroom. After the proceeding, many people took photos of Juan Carlos with their cell phones.

Older kids and those with special needs are often difficult to place. Many people associated with the case beamed afterward, including attorney Carolyn Waters, who handles many adoption cases.

"This is the best part of the job, just to see children find permanent, loving homes," said Veronica Gonzalez, a CYFD placement worker.

It's a continuing process.

Added Macias: "We need other special people to step forward."

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley